Abstract
BackgroundCandidatus Neoehrlichia came under the focus of recent research in terms of human and pet relevance. Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis seems to be relatively abundant in animals and humans from Central European countries, whereas Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris was found solely in raccoons from the USA.FindingsSpleen samples from a total of 164 red foxes, originating from two western provinces in Austria (Tyrol and Vorarlberg), were collected and examined for the presence of tick-borne bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae by PCR and sequencing. In a fox sample originating from Vorarlberg Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. was found, which is genetically (16S rRNA, groEL) closely related to Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris but clearly distinct from Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis.ConclusionsThe present study revealed, for the first time, the occurrence of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. in a red fox worldwide. A continuing screening of wild carnivores, especially foxes, and ticks for this potential pathogen is required to evaluate the actual occurrence and distribution of these bacteria. Further research is needed to elucidate the relationships of Neoehrlichia, as well as their reservoir and impact on wildlife, pets and humans.
Highlights
Candidatus Neoehrlichia came under the focus of recent research in terms of human and pet relevance [1]
The Maximum Likelihood (ML) bootstrap tree calculated with the concatenated alignments of 16S and groEL (1,570 bp) (Fig. 1a) shows two highly supported clades, the first with samples classified as Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (CNM), the second containing the only Candidatus Neoehrlichia lotoris (CNL) sample published yet, RAC413 [2], as well as the new Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. (FU98) originated from a fox in the present study
This study reports the presence of Candidatus Neoehrlichia sp. in a red fox for the first time worldwide
Summary
Candidatus Neoehrlichia came under the focus of recent research in terms of human and pet relevance. Mainly on the groEL gene, indicated a considerable genetic variation within CNM in Europe [8], whereas for CNL only a single variant has been described yet [2]. All samples were screened for Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp. and Candidatus Neoehrlichia using the Anaplasmataceae-specific primers EHR16SD and EHR16SR, which amplify a ~345 bp section of the 16S rRNA (16S) [9]. A phylogenetic tree was constructed with the combined 16S [KT833357] and groEL [KT833358] sequences of the sample FU98 and Candidatus Neoehrlichia sequences published at the NCBI data base (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
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